Israel's official state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, is facing an uncertain future as an impending ICC arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu severely curtails his international travel opportunities, effectively grounding the costly plane except for training. The aircraft, designed for presidential diplomatic missions, is now spending extended periods in training, testing, and 'reducing activity,' accumulating substantial operating costs without fulfilling its intended purpose. While its upkeep represents a significant financial outlay, a debate is ongoing regarding its strategic importance and whether less flying time could ultimately prove more economical and beneficial for its longevity.

Israel's official state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, is facing an uncertain future as an impending ICC arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu severely curtails his international travel opportunities, effectively grounding the costly plane except for training. The aircraft, designed for presidential diplomatic missions, is now spending extended periods in training, testing, and 'reducing activity,' accumulating substantial operating costs without fulfilling its intended purpose. While its upkeep represents a significant financial outlay, a debate is ongoing regarding its strategic importance and whether less flying time could ultimately prove more economical and beneficial for its longevity.

Israel's official state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, is facing an uncertain future as an impending ICC arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu severely curtails his international travel opportunities, effectively grounding the costly plane except for training. The aircraft, designed for presidential diplomatic missions, is now spending extended periods in training, testing, and 'reducing activity,' accumulating substantial operating costs without fulfilling its intended purpose. While its upkeep represents a significant financial outlay, a debate is ongoing regarding its strategic importance and whether less flying time could ultimately prove more economical and beneficial for its longevity.

Israel’s official state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, used to transport the country's prime minister on international trips, has turned into a white elephant, with nowhere to fly. With an ICC arrest warrant hanging over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Wing of Zion is now effectively grounded, except for training flights, according to Israeli media.

The plight of Israel’s ‘Air Force One’ comes to light after Netanyahu finally got the opportunity to travel to the US. As per reports, Netanyahu will fly to the US to meet US President Donald Trump and attend deceased U.S. ​Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral.

The international arrest warrant has  dramatically reduced Netanyahu's travel destinations, and the  plane is spending long weeks in training, testing, and "reducing activity." Pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews continue to operate around it, and its operating costs have totalled about 60 million shekels over three years, according to Ynet News.

The planned flight to India did not materialise. If in the past Viktor Orbán's Hungary agreed to receive him without detaining him, Peter Medyar's Hungary has announced that it will honour the ICC arrest warrant. An invitation to Argentina from Israel's friend, Javier Milei, is also pending, leaving Netanyahu with nowhere to fly, except the US.

In August, eight days are dedicated to "reduction in activity," a name for nothing. Two days are dedicated to a "squadron trip." Two days are dedicated to a day flight, one overseas and one not. Two days are dedicated to day flights and night flights.

In October-November, the plane is grounded for renovations and maintenance, including "space renovation and election renovation." That said, there is a huge team of people, including flight attendants, who work around the aircraft.  

The cost of maintaining the flight which flies to nowhere is huge. While the cost of building the Wing of Zion amounted to NIS 364.91 million (over Rs 3500 crore), the operation cost in 2023 was NIS 34.18 million (over Rs 33 crore). In 2025, operating costs were 18.67 million (Rs 18 crore).

But not everyone thinks it's a white elephant. Some argue that this plane is of the highest strategic importance, citing when Netanyahu confirmed the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah from the classified phone on the plane on a flight to the US.

Sources involved in the plane project say that the fact that it is not being used is not a waste of public money. “On the contrary. When the plane is not active, it costs the taxpayer less," they say. Its lifespan will also be longer the less it flies. It is better maintained; there is less wear and tear on the plane. The pilots, anyway, receive their salaries from the Air Force and are given work on other flights,” they argue.